Combined outlet and safety switch unit with adapter

ABSTRACT

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a wall-type plug receptacle in which the wall-mountable female receptacle includes a circuit-breaking switch within the female receptacle box with the circuit-breaking switch contacts out of alignment lineally from the male-plug-receivable female passage by which the male plug is mateable, and the circuit-making and circuit-breaking element of the circuit-breaking switch being mounted on a distal end of a pivoted lever centrally pivoted along the length of the lever, with a hole-blocking mass being mounted on an end of the lever opposite from the end carrying the circuit-breaking element such that the plug or other object is insertable into the female receptacles female passage only by first pivoting upwardly the hole-blocking mass from its blocking position and such that the power to the mated male plug is furnished solely upon the returning of the hole-blocking mass to its blocking position.

[451 Sept. 23, 1975 COMBINED OUTLET AND SAFETY SWITCH UNIT WITH ADAPTER Inventor:

Filed:

Larry L. Gyurka, 68-63 108th St.,

Forest Hills, NY. 11375 May 21, 1973 Appl. No.: 362,338

[52] US. Cl 200/50 B; ZOO/51.07; ZOO/51.08; ZOO/61.7 [51} Int. Cl. I-IOlh 9/20; Holr 19/50 [58] Field of Search... 200/50 A, 50 B, 51 R, 51.12, ZOO/61.7, 51.07-51.09

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,797,337 6/1957 Hollins 200/51 R X 2,878,430 3/1959 Stoecklin 200/50 B X 3,016,432 l/1962 Bassani 200/51 R X 3,088,004 4/1963 Mueller r 200/50 B 3,193,636 7/1965 Daniels ZOO/51.12 3,748,621 7/1973 Sakats 200/50 B X 3,781,495 12/1973 Splingaerd 200/50 A Primary Examiner-James R. Scott 57 ABSTRACT In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a wall-type plug receptacle in which the wallmountable female receptacle includes a circuitbreaking switch within the female receptacle box with the circuit-breaking switch contacts out of alignment lineally from the male-plug-receivable female passage by which the male plug is mateable, andthe circuitmaking and circuit-breaking element of the circuitbreaking switch being mounted on a distal end of a pivoted lever centrally pivoted along the length of the lever, with a hole-blocking mass being mounted on an end of the lever opposite from the end carrying the circuit-breaking element such that the plug or other object is insertable into the female receptacles female passage only by first pivoting upwardly the holeblocking mass from its blocking position and such that the power to the mated male plug is furnished solely upon the returning of the hole-blocking mass to its blocking position.

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept; 23,1975 Sheet 1 of 2 3,908,103

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,908,103

COMBINED OUTLET AND SAFETY SWITCH UNIT WITH ADAPTER This invention relates to a male-female floor or wall receptacle having a build-in safety switch.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION DISCLOSURE For an electrical outlet, safety is desireable but with the resulting structure being of conventional design and appearance and compact and unobstrusive when installed, designed preferably to avoid tampering with the conductive parts thereof whenever there is power connected thereto.

BROAD DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Objects of the invention include the above desired ends together with other objects apparent from the preceding and following disclosure.

One or more objects are obtained by the invention as defined herein.

This invention presents an improved outlet and safety switch unit combined in a single element. The device is mountable within a conventional type safety-code electrical-fixture-mounting box typically by threaded screws. Electrical fixtures plug into the outlet in a conventional manner to obtain current feed to the plug, after the safety shield is lowered to its plug-securing and shielding position, which in the shielding position establishes the making of the electrical contact by the electrical switch associated within the female body and mounted on an opposite end of a common lever as the safety shield. When the outlet is closed by the shield, it cannot be opened or tampered with without breaking the circuit during any effort to gain access to the conductive contacts normally contacted by the male plugs contacts when mated. Safety is effectively attained by when it is not necessary and assures a proper supply when needed.

With this device installed, children and others are protected from accidental electrical shock by preventing access to the source of power. It is easily installed in any location in homes, offices, factories, or anywhere desired. The circuitry is simple and the device is easily and economically produced from readily available materials.

Accordingly, this invention is provided to meet the growing demand for improved safety of electrical fixtures to prevent accidental electrical shock and accidental injury thereby, and to prevent fires. The invention fills a long-felt need in a convenient, effective manner and at a cost within the budget of the ultimate user because of its economic advantageous minimal cost as compared to competitive items. Also it is desireable because it is produceable by existing facilities which further minimizes tooling and production costs. Materials may be varied to suit such facilities. Standardization of components minimizes inventory costs whereby costs can be held at low levels with moderate production runs.

Because of the particular design functional features of the inventive device, it is adaptable to light home use or to heavy office and shop uses, wherever electrical outlets are to be utilized.

THE FIGURES FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention in front elevation perspective view, as exploded from it wall-mounting box.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view taken through the embodiment of the invention as disclosed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a view the same as FIG. 2, except with the shield pivoted upwardly and simultaneously with the circuitmaking element pivoted downwardly into a circuit-breaking state, with the male electrical plug in an exploded state.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top elevation plan view with partial break-away of the casing of the female receptacle in order that the making of contacts may be seen in the state of being as represented in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front elevation view of the embodiment as represented in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrate a view comparable to that of FIG. 5, except with a partial break-away in order to expose the appearance of the electrical components therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In greater detail, with reference to the foregoing FIGS. 1 through 6, there is disclosed a wall mountable box 1 of the type mountable on any conventional wall structure, and screw-mountable flanges 4 thereof against which the apertured safety-switch flange 2 is flushly engageable and securable by screws 6. The insulator shield 5 is illustrated in the closed shielding or blocking state in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, and in FIGS. 4 and 5, but in the pivoted open state in FIG. 3. Viewable in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 are the screw brackets 8 of the circuit leads of the female receptacle and the screws 3 which when screwed-in in a conventional manner anchor the cable to be connected. In FIGS. 2 through 5, one or more thereof there is viewable each of the shield 5, space 7 provided as a recess for the plugged-in male prong(s) of the male plug 15 with its cord 16, the lead wires 9 and 11 respectively to contacts 14 and 13 respectively the latter contacts being mounted in a conventional manner and insulatively spaced apart and bridgable by the bridge conductor 10 of typically conventionally insulated switch arm 12. The conventional pivot pin structure (not numbered) is diagrammatically illustrated in the Figures. It should be noted that FIG. 3 establishes the contacts 13 and 14 are located within a subspace in communication with a main space, but in non-alignment lineally with the female receptacle opening of the housing.

Accordingly, there is provided a combined outlet and safety switch which in the open position breaks the current and in the closed position obstructing the female opening closes circuit to supply current, with the insulator shield providing on an enclosed pivoted end of the lever thereof the circuit-making bridge conductor for the making and breaking of circuit of the female receptacles inclusive circuit therein.

I claim:

1. A safety electrical receptacle comprising in combination: a female connector means disposed within an interior of a housing and a male connector means matable therewith and including circuitry within each of said connector means for conductance of electricity from one to the other, the female connector means including a plurality of fixed contact means each having a break in series within the circuitry thereof, and lever means disposed pivotably on said housing having a first arm extending into the interior, a plurality of movable contact means-spatially positioned fixedly on the lever means to close circuit between respective opposed ones of said plurality of fixed contact means, said lever means further having a second arm extending substantially exteriorly of the housing and said second arm including a cap defining a recess facing said female connector means, said cap having spatial dimensions of 5 means.

said recess sufficient to substantially receive said male 

1. A safety electrical receptacle comprising in combination: a female connector means disposed within an interior of a housing and a male connector means matable therewith and including circuitry within each of said connector means for conductance of electricity from one to the other, the female connector means including a plurality of fixed contact means each having a break in series within the circuitry thereof, and lever means disposed pivotably on said housing having a first arm extending into the interior, a plurality of movable contaCt means spatially positioned fixedly on the lever means to close circuit between respective opposed ones of said plurality of fixed contact means, said lever means further having a second arm extending substantially exteriorly of the housing and said second arm including a cap defining a recess facing said female connector means, said cap having spatial dimensions of said recess sufficient to substantially receive said male connector means when said cap is in closed state and said movable contact means are positioned to close circuit, said fixed contact means being positioned within the housing inaccessibly from said female connector means. 